Australian readers of downthetubes – or visitors to the country – may be interested in an upcoming exhibition running this coming weekend as part of the Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair, curated by pop culture historian Stuart A. Blair, titled Language in Context – From the comic strip to the silver screen.
Stuart A. Blair is a language specialist teaching children the French, Indigenous and English languages and a lecturer of Constructed languages to university students.
He also teaches teachers how to use the comic book as a communication medium in the second language classroom.
A Keynote Speaker at academic conferences, language festivals, literary events, French festivals, pop culture and comic conventions around Australia, on his National Speaking Tour, Stuart investigates the linguistic context, stereotypes, representations, and controversies in comic book literature and early children’s stories.
He’s also the the creator of a bilingual storybook adventure, The Adventures of Paris and Freddie, working with artist Joanna Hassam, which is set for release in 2023.
Find out more about his work and research over at stuartablair.com
Language in Context forms part of an exhibition Stuart has curated at for the Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair, taking place Sunday 23rd April 2023.
The exhibition presents the greater Adelaide community an opportunity to view world comic book literature, investigating linguistic context, stereotypes, representations, and controversies, from the late 1800s to the present day.
During the exhibition’s run, Stuart will be speaking with language teaching professionals, students, and the general public about using comic books as a communication medium in the second language classroom.
Founded by Brett Owen, the Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair strives to give the community the best in comics, toys and pop culture, showcasing comics, toys, video games, LEGO, books, movies, TV, and more.
The event also provides a platform for local comic artists/creators and specialty clubs another outlet “to let the world know how fantastic they are”.
Illustrators Chrissy Butt, Veronica Gordon, and cartoonist and illustrator Jordan Pote will be in the event’s Artists Alley, as will independent Australian publisher DARK OZ, owned and operated by Darren Koziol, publisher of the anthology comics DECAY and Retro Sci-Fi Tales, a showcase of the incredible talent Australia has to offer – over 150 creators featured so far.
Also at the event will be science fiction and fantasy author R. Max Tillsley and graphic novelist Sheydin Dew, whose first book, No Man’s Land, helped fuel her passion for screen printing, product design, marketing and in developing her own brand. The story follows Gwen and her friends as they compete in a roller skating race over an unclaimed territory in the divided town of Windlyn.
• Language in Context – From the Comic Strip to the Silver Screen – part of Adelaide Comic and Toy Fair – 10.00am – 3.30pm Sunday 23rd April 2023 St Clair Recreation Centre, 109 Woodville Road, Woodville 5011 Adelaide | Exhibition Details here adelaidecomicandtoyfair.com/stuartablair
• Find out more about Stuart A. Blair’s work and research over at stuartablair.com
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comics, Comics Education News, Comics Studies, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, Exhibitions
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